Whatever direction Colangelo takes the Raptors, change is as inevitable as the changes that followed the club following each off-season under Colangelo’s watch.

And now that he’s firmly in control, expect every option to be explored and every asset to be used as part of a trade scenario.

If one listened carefully to Colangelo following last week’s draft lottery, it became abundantly clear that no player is untouchable, no stone will be left un-turned in accelerating a rebuilding process that resulted in a 60-loss season.

Given his competitive nature, Colangelo will make a splash, either through free agency or via a trade.

Given his restless nature, Colangelo will not stand still and nor should he.

Quote:

The Raptors, unlike many teams, have options, one of the by-products of sacrificing a season by going young and by refusing to pull the trigger on deals that would have compromised the financial flexibility Colangelo accumulated amid the losing.

Had the Raptors won last week’s lottery, one of the most fluid positions in team history would have finally been settled.

Kyrie Irving would have given Toronto its long-awaited and much-needed creator and facilitator at point guard, leader and a face fans would embrace.

Had the Raptors seen their ping-pong ball combination drop at No. 2, the prize would have been the electric Derrick Williams, a guy who wants to be a star in a Toronto market craving a star.

When neither scenario unfolded, it didn’t matter whether the Raptors stayed at No. 3 or dropped all the way down to No. 6.

As fate would have it, Toronto would fall to No. 5.

And now the waiting begins until Colangelo parlays his lottery pick and any available asset into something tangible, a piece that will provide legitimacy.

Quote:

Colangelo could have acquired Gay in 2006 when the Raptors won the lottery and elected to use the first overall pick on Andrea Bargnani in a draft class many believed lacked a franchise player.

If anything, history has shown that Colangelo eventually gets his man and will do whatever it takes.

Perhaps the price may end up involving Bargnani, Toronto’s own trade exception obtained in the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade with the Heat, the No. 5 draft pick or any combination of assets for Gay.

What must be made clear is that if Gay is indeed available, then expect the Raptors to be involved.

Imagine a remade Raptors team with Gay as the primary scoring option, DeMar DeRozan entering his third year, an emerging Ed Davis and the prospect of acquiring via free agency a legitimate rebounding centre.

Memphis missed his scoring on the perimeter. Don't think they'll fill that void with anything on our roster, or with the 5th pick. Also, heading into the new CBA, Gay's 20 million dollar price tag - or w/e he's making - could really handcuff this squad.

EggsToTheBBQ

05-24-2011 07:57 PM

Yeah, I don't expect anything to happen until well after the new CBA is in place.

Colangelo himself has said on a number of occasions that the Raptors are in a good position to deal with any changes to the salary structure. I don't expect him to make a move that would jeopardize that flexibility.

I don't expect the TPE to be used, as BC has also said.

Luckily this is the Sun, or I might have taken it seriously.

DocHoliday99

05-24-2011 08:03 PM

Quote:
Colangelo could have acquired Gay in 2006 when the Raptors won the lottery and elected to use the first overall pick on Andrea Bargnani in a draft class many believed lacked a franchise player.

If anything, history has shown that Colangelo eventually gets his man and will do whatever it takes.

Perhaps the price may end up involving Bargnani, Toronto’s own trade exception obtained in the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade with the Heat, the No. 5 draft pick or any combination of assets for Gay.

What must be made clear is that if Gay is indeed available, then expect the Raptors to be involved.

Imagine a remade Raptors team with Gay as the primary scoring option, DeMar DeRozan entering his third year, an emerging Ed Davis and the prospect of acquiring via free agency a legitimate rebounding centre.

It will certainly take more than the TPE/#5 as according to reports the Grizz turned down Cleveland's offer of their TPE/#4 for Gay. I would think they would want DD as they stated that they wanted a quality player in return and the Grizz are set at the C and PF spots so why would they want Bargs or Davis? That doesn't make sense to me and Davis would be a back-up but that is a possibilty.

The Grizz showed in the playoffs they need a player to replace Gay as they need another scorer, to me, from the Raps roster and where we are drafting, that would be DD. DD/TPE/#5 is too much for Gay. I don't know another combination that would be palatable to either team.

Who know's with BC though, he can be creative......

Deez

05-24-2011 08:36 PM

Yes, but the fact that they would likely be saddling another team with a mega-contract means they would need to lower their own expectations of return.

That's why I think an offer of #5, TPE, Barbosa might be reasonable, although it could be still slightly be beaten by another team's offer.

Can't trade Barbosa, he has a player option. Still doesn't replace Gay's scoring.

DocHoliday99

05-24-2011 08:55 PM

I can see OJ getting traded before Gay. If Barbosa agrees, why not Barbo/tpe/future pick for OJ? Grizz get their capspace, a good player for a year and a pick. We could take Kanter if available or gamble on Bismack.

Bayless
OJ
DD
Davis
Kanter or Bismack

Grizz will have
Conley
Barbo
Gay
Randolph
Gasol

Good for both

Blaze

05-24-2011 08:59 PM

PLEASE DO THIS I'm willing to even give up davis and draft thomson, to replace him but probably they'll want both.

EggsToTheBBQ

05-24-2011 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DocHoliday99
(Post 542307)

I can see OJ getting traded before Gay. If Barbosa agrees, why not Barbo/tpe/future pick for OJ? Grizz get their capspace, a good player for a year and a pick. We could take Kanter if available or gamble on Bismack.

Bayless
OJ
DD
Davis
Kanter or Bismack

Grizz will have
Conley
Barbo
Gay
Randolph
Gasol

Good for both

DeMar is far more effective as a SG. He doesn't match up well with a lot of bigger SFs. (Odom, LeBron, Gerald Wallace, Carmelo, Turk, etc.) OJ would be a bench player with the Raptors. I don't think it's a good fit.

Gay has a big contract and the new CBA is coming up. I'm not in favor of bringing him in until the salary structure is in place and the team can plan around a big contract player.

The Raptors are still a rebuilding team. In order, the positions of need are: C, SF, PG, PF, SG (in my opinion)

DeMar is a lock at SG. Barbosa is on his way out, but is doing well in the meantime. Sonny can play, and I still like Julian Wright as a 2/3 off the bench, though I doubt he'll be back. Sonny might be back, I think he will, for cheap, unless something better comes up.

Davis is close to being a lock at PF. Amir's a good back up. Bargs is Bargs (not getting into that argument right now).

Bayless shows potential at PG, and Calderon is holding down the fort quite well in the meantime. Barbosa can be used in emergency situations. It's not a perfect situation, but it's far from being as bad as the next two positions...

At SF we have Kleiza, if he successfully comes back from injury, James Johnson, who's a good role player and has some room to improve. Also, JW and Sonny (previously discussed) There's definitely weakness here, though I would like to see what a fully healthy Kleiza can bring to the table.

At C we have one of the worst Cs on the defensive end in the history of the NBA (you know who I mean). Dorsey is a useful big body, nothing more. Alabi is a project, though to me he looks like a stiff. Ajinca... actually, I haven't completely written him off, he looks sometimes like he can play, he just needs to concentrate on help D and rebounding. If he could get to the rim for some offensive boards instead of hanging out at the three point line it would be nice. Either way, this is the position where the biggest weakness is.

For me, until the center position situation is resolved there is no point in retooling the roster. That is the biggest weakness, and it needs to be solved first. It's been a weakness since Antonio Davis left (a long long time ago) and it needs to be addressed as soon as possible.

There is no moving forward without a good center. All plans need to revolve around resolving this situation. It's a disgrace. 3 D-Leaguers and a guy who doesn't play any defense.

DocHoliday99

05-24-2011 09:49 PM

DeMar is far more effective as a SG? Stat wise he's better at the SF - not by much but he is(82games). OJ wouldn't be a bench player - he just needed to do some maturing. He's definitely a starter in this league.

I completely agree with the center issue but we're not getting one in free agency when so many teams need one unless we trade, go to Europe or draft. Big men seem to be a premium in this league right now.